Two posts in one day!? No there ain't no arctic chill down in Hell, I told you a new leaf was being overturned! --This one has been a long time coming and it's a wonder I haven't bestowed its gloriosity (suck it spell-check) upon you sooner. The Polar Bear Club's - 'Chasing Hamburg' is today's adventure brought to you by the publish broadcasting system (and other's like us) and it is truly a saphire in the cart-path. I have found myself lately to be that cliche' of kids who cut their teeth in junior high on punk music a-la Rancid, only to graduate to the seemingly more angsty and musically inclined screamo music of thrice, thursday, and finch; to then grow tired of such trivialities and un necessary vocal antics and graduate to a more folky sound and eventually surrendering to the once taboo evil of pitchfork flavored indie rock. The Polar Bear Club howoever grabbed my 24 year old self and my 17 year old self by the collar, brought us face to face, and said "play nice!". Punknews purists may prefer their debut album 'Sometimes Things Just Dissapear', and while I recommend you check that out aswell (but that's another show) Chasing Hamburg is an amazing progression and display of hard rock. This album has all of the post punk and hardcore chops that everyone after 'The Shape of Punk to Come' have strove for, yet brings energy, power, and punk in a way that is unique unto its own. Catchy chorus'-check, strong emotional vocals that come across gritty and sincere but never whiny-check, intricate guitar leads-check, driving in-your-face drumming-check. This album is everything that punk, post-anything rock should be, and if you don't think "Living Saints" is the best song of 2009, well than I'm not sure I want you reading my blog anymore #justsayin'

Check it then Wreck it

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Young Leaves

I apologize for my lack of posts but I am turning over a new leaf and a plethora of amazing albums will be pouring out faster than you can click 'download'. Today's record comes from the boys in Attack in Black. I know its tough, but we will excuse the fact that the hail from Canada due to the amazing music they produce. Their album 'Marriage' is something I discovered off of several hoity-toity year end lists. I gave the album a once through by the pool at my then university and cast it aside as merely another tolerable folk-influenced punk band cashing in on the latest trend. Yet for some reason this album began to haunt me over the years. It would pop up at the most random time in my i-pod shuffle and I couldn't seem to hit the obligatory "skip song" button. When you hear the one-two opening punch of 'Come What May' and 'Young Leaves' you'll KNOW. This album is nothing short of genius, whether it be daniel and ian's charming yet urgent vocal and lyrical prowess or the solid but never over-done production quality...this album resonates from front to back and strikes that rare balance of feeling important without being pretentious and being infectiously catchy and enjoyable without crossing over into cheesy and forced.

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Borrow It
Buy It

Mariachi!?

So, a seminal hardcore punk band (The Bronx) in their spare time decides to start a Mariachi band, and it doesn’t completely suck…yeah right! Well not only does the aptly titled Mariachi El Bronx not make you want to punch anyone within arm’s length wearing a sombrero, but it is actually an incredibly well crafted and enjoyable listen. This album will have you reaching for said sombrero, a six pack of coronas, and high tailing it down to Tijuana for a weekend of love, lament, and liquor-filled adventures. Viva Summer!!

Roba Lo

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Esuchar

Real Talk

Alright so this album is a step out of my musical box. I humbly admit that I am by no means a hip hop authority, which is what makes P.O.S.'s "Never Better" all that more incredible to me. This record sticks out to me lightyears ahead of all the Kanye West, Jay Z, Ludacris etc. mainstream artists I've heard pervade the airways (and just about every other medium that music can be forced out of). This guy has a musicality to his tracks that even pretentious prog-rock aficionados can appreciate. He obviously is a fan of hardcore/punk music as he name drops the likes of Fugazi in his songs, and that kind of influence really shows in his ability to create the unique sound on Never Better (just try listening to "Drumroll" and not getting stoked about the beat). Music and backbeats aside, homie can straight flow! Again this may just be my hip-hop naivity coming out but the vocals on "Savion Glover" are unreal! I recommend this album for hip hop fans looking for something that deviates from the "bitches and ho's" rap of Q104.7 and anyone else who just cant "stomach hip-hop"...seriously.

Never Better-http://www.mediafire.com/?mwn33wzma3w

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Ladies Night

Ok so I have to give credit to former MTV VJ and current bug-eyed late night personality Carson Daly for this one (I have insomnia and there was nothing else on, don't judge me!). First off if you are one of those people who are allergic to fun, stop reading now, because Ida Maria's album Fortress Round My Heart is nothing if not that! I usually just can't seem to get into female fronted bands, (sorry Haley Williams) but this album is just too damn catchy not to. Ida has come to party and she's not taking no for an answer. She has a strong voice, a punk rock attitude that would make Joan Jett proud, and the ability to write one hell of a hook! *see-"I like you so much better when your naked". So seriously sulking emo kid, put down your black nail polish, pop some prozac and get on this train...as for the rest of you pour a shot of Johnnie Walker, put on your dancing shoes and let Ida Maria do the rest.

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Purchase

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Simulated Birds

Today's album comes from a band called The Helen Earth Band with their album "Our Own Ghost City". The band has risen from the ashes of Counterfeit and Finch, with stylistic leanings much closer to the former. The music features great angular guitar work, varied time signatures, and an overall improved version of Counterfeits brand of post hardcore. The songs consistently paint contemplative atmospheres and music that draws the listener in, despite a lack of immediate pop sensibility or overt catchiness. The more upbeat tracks remind me of moments on Dameira's M(US)IC. The vocals from former Finch drummer Marc Allen provide strong melodies to accompany the wandering and technical musicianship, making "Our Own Ghost City" a solid debut effort. I recommend popping this sucker in on a solo night drive with the windows down and the speakers blaring.

Download It

Buy It (also has a stream of the song "Shakencutt")

Without Further Ado...

For my first album, I will defer to the album that my blog title pays homage to, which is from a song off of Paul Baribeau's album "Grand Ledge". This folk-punk singer from Michigan plays some of the most honest, heartfelt acoustic music i've had the priviledge of passing through my 23 year old Cochlea. His lyrics are straight forward and emotional without being cheesy. His vocals aren't perfect and the intense strumming undoubtedly has murdered more than a few set of strings, but that all adds to what makes every second of Grand Ledge an infectiously catching and endearingly real listen.



Paul Baribeau-Grand Ledge: http://www.mediafire.com/?qgizid22nnk

Listen to "Ten Things"-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=749g_DBG618